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SERGEANT BATES' MARCH 



CARRYING THE 



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'm^ mli Slrlp^g # 




FROM 



ViCKSBURG TO WASHINGTON I 



TRUTHFUL NARRATIVE OF THE INCIDENTS WHICH TRANSPIRED 

DURING HIS JOURNEY ON FOOT, WITHOUT A CENT, THROUGH 

THE LATE REBELLIOUS STATES, AND SHOWING HOW 

THE GOOD OLD FLAG WAS RECEIVED AS THE 

HARBINGER OF PEACE AND NEW HOPE 

TO THE DISTRESSED PEOPLE OF 

THE SOUTH. 

By gilbert H. BATES. 



NEW YORK: 

Published by B. W. HITCHCOCK, No. 98 Spring St. 

Cincinnati, O, : 164 Vine St. 




PREFACE. 



Many friends, since my return to Wisconsin, have impor- 
tuned me to write out and publish the notes of the march, which 
were taken down daily. The evidence of my consent is this 
pamphlet. But the incidents therein contained are not a 
thousandth part of those which occurred during the march. 
A recital of everything that happened during those three 
months — the receptions, the con\ersations, the acts of kindness 
shown me — ^would fill a much larger book, and would neces- 
sarily present a certain sameness and repetition. The people 
were everj^vhere equally cordial — in iNIississippi and Virginia, 
as well as in Alabama and South Carolina. I have endeavored 
to present a few incidents only, which illustrate and represent 
thousands of others ; and if any one shall criticise this work 
because it is too short, he certainly will not say, in that case, 
that I have wearied him. 

Albion, near Egerton, "June 20, 1S68. 



Entered, according to act of Congress A.D. 1868, 

By B. W. HITCHCOCK, 

In the Clerk's office of the U.S. district court for the Southern district of New York. 



i. 



V , . 
^ ' 



1 



r 



ORIGIN OF THE ENTERPRISE. 



A RESIDENT of the State of Wisconsin, a soldier in the 
Federal Army during the war to suppress the Rebellion, a 
Northern man in every sentiment, I have never sympathized 
with those of my fellow townsmen and neighbors who declare 
the Southern people to be devoid of honor and worth, but 
have always beheved that at the close of the war the South 
gave up their cause, and honestly resolved, in future, to be 
true to the Government and the flag. This behef was firmly 
planted in my breast, and the continual assertions made by 
my friends that every white man in the South is disloyal and 
treacherous, and a bitter enemy of the Government, filled me 
with indignation and sorrow. 

In November, 1867, a short time before the State election, 
I was conversing with a man at Edgerton, Rock County, 
Wisconsin, about the condition of affairs at the South. 
During the conversation, he remarked: " Sergeant, the South- 
erners are rebels yet. They are worse now than they were 
during the war. They hate the Union flag. No man dare 
show that flag anywhere in the South, excej)t in the presence 
of our soldiers." I replied: " You are mistaken ; I can carry 
that flag myself from the Mississippi all over the rebel States, 
alone and unarmed, too." He exclaimed: " It is an absurdity. 
They Avould cut your heart out before you could get ten miles 
from Vicksburg, and your flag would be torn in pieces and 
trampled in the dust." I answered: " Sir, this is not so; it 
cannot be so. But these words of yours express the seu- 
tinients of thousands in this State and aU through the North. 
They do a great wrong. I am sure such sentiments have no 
foundation, and I can prove it to you and everybody else. 
The Southern people are just as willing to live in the Union 
as we are." He scouted the idea; but I persisted. It was finally 
agreed between us that, if I carried the flag through from 
Vicksbm-g to Washington on or before the 4th day of July, 
1868, travelHng alone, without money, without any weapon 
or escort, walking in the day-time, he was to pay me one dol- 
lar a day while I was engaged in the undertaking. If I failed 
or was compelled to return, I was to get nothing for my 



4 TRIUMPHAL MARCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

trouble. My Radicjil friend felt safe on these terms, and never 
for a moment thought I would make the ventiu*e, but he 
was doomed to disapi:)omtment. 

On the 14th day of Januax-y, 18G8, I left my quiet home to 
fulfill an unheard-of undertaking. [Many of my fi-iends had 
admonished me to desist fi-om such a hazardous enterprise — '■ 
not to throw my Hfe away in some Southern swamp, while 
trusting in the loyalty and kindness of the rebels. But I ap- 
prehended no violence from the Southern people, and set out 
for Yieksburg without fear or trembling. At Memphis cer- 
tain parties learned the object of my undertaking, and when 
I reached Vicksburg every one was fully aware of it. Eveiy 
man, woman and child knew that my purpose was to prove 
that the Southern jieople revered the flag, and everj'where 
the greatest curiosity was manifested to see the man who 
was willing to attempt the proof. I entered Vicksburg in the 
evening, dressed in coarse, heavy clothing, with cow-hide 
boots and a slouch hat. My personal appearance was any- 
thing but prepossessing, and would scarcely have justified a 
hotel-keeper in trusting me for a night's lodging. 

Frank Howard, a gentleman with whom I had conversed 
before entering the city, having learned that my articles of 
agreement required me to enter Vicksburg without money, 
kindly invited me to the Prentiss House, and agreed to settle 
for all my biUs. 

The next morning I received calls from the Mayor and all 
the prominent men of Vicksburg. The ladies very kindly 
volunteered to make a flag for me. I never witnessed such 
enthusiasm — such an abundance of attention as were shown 
by the people of this city. Soldiers who had served in the 
rebel army were eager to grasp my hand and encourage me; 
and Northei'u soldiers, my foi'mer comrades, were no less 
friendly and interested. My farmer's clothes were exchanged 
for a velvet walking suit, and my clothing was sent to my 
home in "Wisconsin. 

I remained in Vicksburg four days. I was the guest of the 
City, entertained in the kindest manner by the citizens, 
treated with the honors of a prince, and, at the same time, 
with the affection due to a fi-iond. 

On the last day of my sojourn in Vicksburg, the flag which 
the ladies had made for me was pubhcly presented at the 
Prentiss House, at 11 A. M. There was an immense crowd 
of people present, who had assembled long before the hour. 
Col. I. M. Partridge spoke on behalf of the ladies in jiresenting 
the banner. The same hands had made flags for the rebels 
during the war. The same hands now gladly worked for me 



PROM VICKSBDKG TO WASHINGTON. 5 

the stars and strij)es, wlien my avowed object was to wave that 
flag before their eyes in their own country, and prove to the 
world that the South submit with nobleness ancl sincerity to 
their defeat, and again cherish the glorious emblem against 
which they once arrayed themselves in war. On the 28th day 
of January, after the presentation was over, I unfurled my 
flag, and set out upon my march through the States of IMiss- 
issippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, 
and Virginia, which lie between Vicksburg and Washington. 
Sherman's grand march, which lay through most of these 
States, was not so long as mine. When he made the march, 
he carried the sword in one hand and the torch in the other. 
The flag of the Union was then the emblem of death and ruin 
to the Southern peojjle. I was to pass over much of his hne 
of march ; to tread the battle-fields which were trodden by 
his army, and pass through the cities that were burned by 
his men; but in my hand, the war being ended, the same flag 
was to be the emblem of peace and fiiendship and good will 
to the South. Leaving the Prentiss House, accompanied by 
the Mayor, Col. Brown, and the Marshall, Capt. Fi&k, and an 
immense crowd of people, to the Washington House. I was 
there introduced to a great many ladies and gentlemen, resi- 
dents of the city. Their reception was very cordial. Before 
leaving the hotel, a procession was formed to accompany me 
a short distance on my way. The Mayor and Councilmen 
were on horseback, and headed the procession. They were 
followed by a band of music. Behind them I marched, carry- 
ing the flag. Then came a crowxl of thousands of persons, 
mounted, on foot and in carriages. Thus disposed, the whole 
procession moved out from the City of Vicksburg, and finally 
reached the memorable Pemberton aud Grant monument. 
Halting here, the crowd gave three cheers " for Sergeant 
Bates and the United States flag." The procession had gone 
far enough with me, and at this place it broke up. But they 
all crowded around me "just to say one word," and shake my 
hand. Nearly every hand offered me money, but I did not 
take the money. I was much affected by the kindness of these 
people. The w\ar left them almost nothing, and yet they 
wished to give me of their scanty store. 

The people still clung around me, so that I could not set out 
on my journey. The Mayor, seeing my difiiculty, directed the 
crowd to open and give me way. I lost no time in moving 
off. A short distance from the monument the road rises over 
a hill. On reaching the summit, I turned and w^aved my flag. 
This was the signal for a new outbiu'st of enthusiasm. Cheer 
on cheer arose, till it almost awakened the dead echoes of the 



fa TRIUMPHAL MARCH OP SERGEANT BATES 

cannon that had roared about the spot in 1863. Such cheers 
I never heard before. I moved mi, and soon was obscured by 
the hill from the gaze of my friends. I could still hear the 
music of the band — " tramp, tramp, tramp," as it died away 
in the distance. Not without a certain feehng of sadness I 
pursued my soHtary way. 

My course lay for several miles over hills and valleys, in a 
southerly direction, until I reached the Vicksburg and Meri- 
dian Railroad. It became apparent, early in my enterprise, 
that it would be impossible for me to take the wagon roads. 
They were in a fearful condition, exceedingly muddy on ac- 
count of the rains, an d by no means direct. I concluded, 
therefore, to follow the line of the raih-oads as far as Selma, 
Alabama. This plan would enable me to meet with more people, 
and would afford much better walking. At every station on 
the raih'oad, however small, I always found many persons 
waiting to receive me. Frequently they would come out fi'om 
towns and villages three and foui* miles, in order to walk the 
distance with me in returning. 

Arrived at Bovina at 3 P. M. The weather was quite cool, 
and the snow was commencing to fall. A gentleman at this 
place insisted on my taking his heavy overcoat, which proved 
of gi*eat comfort to me. Later in the day, about 5 P. M., I 
reached the Big Black Eiver, and hailed the ferryman "uith no 
little trepidation. The citizens of Vicksburg had told me that 
this ferryman of the Big Black would never allow any one to 
cross in his boat without paying fare. I did not have a penny in 
my pocket. Before we were halfway over he made some remark 
about having the change ready, which I evaded. When near 
the opposite shore he noticed my velvet pants under the over- 
coat, and flagstaff in my hand. " Ah ! " said he, " are you Ser- 
geant Bates ? " " Yes," said I. " .Ul right. Sergeant : not 
one cent fi'om you. All right Sir, I will take you back for 
nothing, if you hke. You may cross here a thousand times 
if you want to, and no charge." Thanking the old man for 
his kindness, I pressed forward, for it was getting late. Before 
long I reached what is known as Kidd's Plantation. 

j\Ii\ Cordevent, the proprietor, invited me to spend the 
night with him. Here could he clearly seen the ravages of 
war — pianofortes and other articles of furniture destroyed in 
the most wanton manner. This i:)lantation is as fertile as any 
in Mississipj)i; but, during oiu* conversation, !Mr. Cordevent 
informed me that, with the labor of tree negroes since the 
war, he had lost fifty thousand dollars. He said the negroes 
were little disposed to work, and were very unreliable. That 
all sorts of extravagant notions filled their heads about the 



FEOM VICKSBUEG TO WASHINGTON. 7 

riglit of suffi-age and mules, and dividing up the lands of the 
whites. He said that much of this nonsense was the result 
of the teachings of the Freedmen's Bureau, and tended to 
make the two races (the white and the black) suspicious and 
distrustful of each other. He said the negroes at one time 
actually believed that the Government would give every one 
of them forty acres of land and a few mules. After a lengthy 
conversation, I was glad enough to retire to rest, fatigued 
with the labors and excitement of the day. 

The nest morning, January 29th, I left the Kidd Plantation 
about 9 o'clock, and continued my journey. About four miles 
from Smith Station, the passenger train was stopped by the 
conductor, and the passengers rushed out to see me. This 
was a pleasant surprise. Many of the passengers offered me 
money, v/hich I dechned receiving. The conductor, however, 
thi-ust three dollars into my pocket, saying that I would need 
it for postage stamps in writing home. My protest was of no 
avail. The train moved on, and I followed behind, walking 
along the track. At Edwards' Station a large crowd was as- 
sembled. There was also a delegation fi'om the town of Ray- 
mond, which lay away from my route, who wished me to visit 
that place. They were sorry that I could not accept their in- 
vitation. Every one seemed to welcome me and the flag with 
open arms. The greatest cordiality prevailed everywhere, 
and almost an excess of generosity. Here I was compelled to 
accept more money— eleven dollars and a half. But this was 
so distasteful to me that I resolved not to receive any more 
from any one during the march. I put the money in an en- 
velope and sent it home. This was the last that I received 
durmg the whole march from Vicksbui-g to Washington. 

About three miles west of Jackson I was joined by a coun- 
tryman who walked with me. Presently we met quite a crowd 
of negroes, who seemed to be waiting on the railroad track 
for some purpose or other. They looked at me and the fla^ 
with wonder and amazement, and for a time were speechless^ 
finally, one of the negi'oes called out to my companion to 
learn what the flag meant, and who I was. The countryman 
rephed that I was the biggest Yankee officer in the land, and 
that just a mile-and-a-half behind me were hundreds and 
thousands of sojdiers, who were coming to pick iip all the 
lazy niggers in Mississippi and send them down to Florida to 
work. " 'Fore God, I heard dat afore," exclaimed the oldest 
darkey. And with this away they aU scampered, like struck 
hares, at full speed, into the woods, leaving my companion 
and myself to laugh at their ridiculous creduhty. The ne- 
groes everywhere seemed idle, and restless, and discontented, 



8 TRUrMPHAL MARCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

as if waiting for some unknown thing to occur — something, 
they knew not what. 

I arrived at Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, on the 30th 
of January, about noon, and learned to my regi'et that my 
arrival had been expected earl}- in the morning. The Mayor 
and all the city authorities, and himdreds of citizens, had as- 
sembled to meet me; but I was so much behind time that 
they began to give me up. The Mayor deputized Col. Ycrger 
to receive me, when I should come, as the guest of the city of 
Jackson. 

On reaching the city, I went to the Benton House quietly 
and took my dinner. Very soon it was known that I was in 
town, and a carriage was sent for me. I declined the cari'iage, 
and, unfurling the flag, I walked in the centre of the street to 
the Capitol. An immense crowd was here assembled, who re- 
ceived me with great enthusiasm. The Convention was in 
session. A messenger invited me, on behalf of the Conven- 
tion, to visit them while in session. Tliis I did, and was in- 
troduced to the delegates amidst thiinders of applause from 
the floor and from the crowded gallei'ies. Col. Yerger then 
made a welcoming addi'ess, and invited me formally to be- 
come the g-uest of tbe city. Then, in true Amei'ican style, 
the crowd called on me for a speech; and, in spite of my em- 
barrassment, they would have a speech. In a few words I 
explained the object of my mission. Judge Potter, an old 
resident of the city, followed, and made a very good speech, 
marked with cordiahty towards me and reverence for the flag. 
Afterwards I was personally introduced to hundreds of per- 
sons, and shook hands until my arm was more fatigued than 
my legs. At the request of some of the delegates, the flag 
was left in the Caj)itol. I returned to the hotel; but here 
and there along the street I met groups of Confederate sol- 
diers, who were eager to greet me and offer me assistance. 
They were very pleasant and friendly. It was strange enough 
to find them now so friendly, who a few years ago were fight- 
ing the North. But it was a fact, however strange. Those 
men were my friends, although we had fought in armies op- 
posed to each other. 

Jefierson Da^ds arrived in Jackson the same day that I did. 

The next morning I went to the Capitol to ^et my flag; a 
gi'eat many persons followed me, so that when I came out of 
the building there v/as a lai'ge assemblage waiting to say a 
last word before I took my departure. They called on me 
for some remarks. Taking advantage of m}-- experience in 
oratory of the day previous, I responded about as follows: 
" Citizens of Jackson, for yoiu' demonstrations of fi'iendship 



PKOM VICKSBUEG TO WASHINGTON. U 

for me, and respect for the flag of om* country, I thank you. 
I am thus confirmed, in my convictions respecting the sen- 
timents of the Southern people. Heaven be praised ' that 
those convictions have proven correct. You will probably 
never see me again. I vs^ill pass from your sight, and from 
yoiu: thoughts, and be forgotten; but this flag will remain 
with you for ever. It is your banner; it is your hope and 
pride, as well as mine. I x^ray God that before long it may 
wave over a haj^py and prosperous people, who entei-tain no 
ill-will towards each other; that from its waving folds only 
blessings may descend upon the citizens of our country." 

These words were heartily applauded, and I commenced 
taking my leave. But it was no easy matter. Every one 
seemed to take a lively interest in me, and wished, at least, 
to shake hands; and many a time the eyes of grown men 
have iilled with tears as I have clasped their hands. 

The Southern people are warm-hearted and quick in grati- 
tude as well as in resentment. They are not far different 
fi'om the Irish nation in this respect. 

Nothing of importance occurred on my march. The usual 
cordiality of the peojole was everywhere disjDlayed. 

At " Lake," a pretty place in Mississippi, I was presented, 
by a lady, with a horn drinking cup, made by her husband 
while he was a prisoner-of-war at the North. 

At Hickory, a place named after General Jackson, because 
he camped at this place on his way to New Orleans, I was 
' very kindly entertained by Mr. A. E. Gray. About this time, 
February 3d, it was raining continuously, and I was glad to 
remain in doors for a day or two. One night, after I had re- 
tired, I heard the most formidable compound of sounds near 
my window. Looking out, I discovered fifty or more men 
near the house ; about a dozen of them had fiddles of various 
sizes, which they were playing lustily ; hence the noise. I 
di'essed with all possible haste, in order to receive the sere- 
nading party. The house was opened and in they came. I 
soon found they were Confederate soldiers. Some of them 
had come forty miles to see me. A keg of whiskey was 
opened, and a jolly time we had, telling over the merry inci- 
dents of camp-life. We broke up pretty late, but in good 
spirits. The next morning, February 5th, I left Hickory. 

At Meridian, the mayor of the city, Mr. Henderson, wel- 
comed me in the name of the citizens, and tendered the hos- 
pitality of the city in a very handsome speech. An open car- 
riage was provided for me, and I rode in it through the 
streets, with my flag unfurled. At last I stopped before the 
hotel, the Jones House, and alighted. On leaving the car- 



10 TErUMPTAL :,I.VRCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

riage I was forcibly reminded of a remark made by some of 
my fi-iends before I left Wisconsin, tending to induce me to 
abandon my enterpi'ise. They said, " You ■will meet some- 
where a drunken Confederate soldier, and he will kill you ;" 
and sure enough, as the carriage stoj^ped, a Texas ranger, 
considerably the worse for hquor, stood on the sidewalk by 
the door. Said he, "Hold on, Sergeaut, I want to take hold 
of you. Give me your hand. There, hovv^ are you, sir ? I 
say, Sergeant, I was a rebel once, and fought you Northern- 
ers hke h — 1 ; but I got whipped, and all of us got whipped. 
We acknowledge the corn, and have handed in our checks ; 
yes, sir, we have quit, and intend to stay quit. The old flag 
is all right now, and I for one am wilHng to light for it against 
anybody, and I can lick h — 1 out of any man that dare insult 
this flag or you either. Sergeant. Isn't that so?" Saying 
some kind words to him I left him, ready to risk his life for 
me, and passed into the hotel. The next morning, February 
Gth, I left Meridian, accompanied for quite a distance, by a 
large crowd of people. About two miles out of the city I met 
some Confederate soldiers, who were changing their residence 
in the hope of bettering their condition. They talked freely 
vidth me, and expressed fears for my safety. They said that 
every white man South, except the cai*pet-baggers, was my 
friend, and would protect me ; that I should keep a close eye 
on the carpet-baggers, or they might hire some nigger to 
shoot me in the woods, and then lay it to the Southern 
people.N I told them I had no fears, and bade them good- 
bye. 

About 4 p. M. I crossed the State-line into Alabama, and 
spent the night at Cuba. 

In the morning, on leaving the town, I met several negroes 
going to vote at some place fifteen or twenty miles away. I 
conversed with one of them, and was amased at his ignor- 
ance. He did not know for what he was going to vote, but said 
all he had to do was to go down and vote, and he would get 
forty acres of land and a pair of mules, because they told him 
so ; and those mules were just what he wanted. I was con- 
vinced that bad men had been lying to these negroes in order 
to get them to come out and vote. The election continued 
for several days, and was quite a sickening aifair. I often 
thought if my Radical fi'iends at the North could have wit- 
nessed it as I saw it in Alabama, they would have lost aU 
love for negro suffrage, and would condemn the men who en- 
force it on an unwilling people against their will, and by 
military power. Such a loathsome mass of ignorance never 
before exercised political power in a civilized community. To 



FROM VICKSBURG TO WASHINGTON. 



11 



my mind sucli a state of tilings is disgusting. I certainly 
never fought for any such object. 

I reached Selma on the 11th of Febniaiy, at five o'clock in 
the afternoon. At the city limits a committee met me, headed 
by Mayor R. M. Robertson, and escorted me to the Trou^D 
House, where I was formally received. In the evening I re- 
ceived numerous callers, many from among the best people in 
the city. The following night a meeting was called in honor 
of the flag. I was conducted to the hall by a committee of 
gentlemen, and foimd the building crowded with people from 
top to bottom. As I passed in, flag in hand, there was a fear- 
ful demonstration of api)lause, which continued until I took 
my seat upon the stage. Afterwards I was introduced to the 
audience, w^hen the storm of applause broke out again with 
renewed fury. "When I resumed my seat, Ex-Gov. Moore ad- 
dressed the meeting. He was followed by Gov. Parsons. 
Judge Brooks also made a few remarks. These men are the 
true representative men of the South. A more patriotic as- 
semblage could not be found in the North. They were enthu- 
siastic in their adherence to the flag and the Constitution. 
After the meeting was over. Gov. Moore said to me, " Ser- 
geant Bates, come home with me and sleep in my house, so 
that when you return North you can say that you have spent 
the night under the same roof mth men who were once lead- 
ing rebels, and that you got up in the morning safe and sound, 
and not a hair of your head injured." The Governor was 
very kind to me ; offered me money, which, of course, I did 
not take. The next day I attended another political gather- 
ing, larger than the previous one. No man whispered any- 
thing against the flag. My reception through all this coimtry 
was most hearty. I was the object of untiring devotion 
everywhere. The negroes said little or nothing ; but the 
whites, I verily believe, had a sort of affection for me. 

Februarv 14th, late in the evening, I arrived at ■\Vhite Hall 
Plantation, 8 miles from Benton. Mr. Joseph A. White and 
lady received me very kindly, and insisted on my staying with 
them over night. They entertained me elegantly. When I 
took my leave of them I found that my flag was decorated 
with laurel wreaths. This was the work of Miss Sallie E. 
White. The ladies wished me a safe retui^n to my family. 
Mr. WTiite accompanied me a short distance on my way. He 
spoke of the unhappy condition of the country, of the neces- 
sity of forgetting and forgiving the past. He hoped for a 
union of all good men. North and South, a restoration of 
peace, and, moreover, a restoration of good feeling. He said 
" the Radicals do us great wi'ong, treat us hatefully, and seek 



12 TEITTiEPHAL AL\.ECH OF SERGEANT BATES 

to degrade us, and make life unendurable. They liave no 
reason to expect us to like them. After tearing down civil 
government, and setting up military government over us, 
they finally disfi'anchise hundreds of thousands of intelligent 
men, and give the negroes the ballot." He spoke feelingly, 
and when we parted his eyes were fiUed with tears. 

I reached Montgomery on the IGth of Febiniary. Here I 
met with a magnificent reception. The ladies of this city 
made for me a beautiful pink sash, of fine silk, and ornament- 
ed with heavy gold fiiuge. It was presented to me at a pub- 
lic festival, given to aid some charitable purpose, and is reaUy 
a very beautiful sash. 

In behalf of the Ladies, L. A. Shaver, Esq., made the fol- 
lowing pi'esentation speech: 

.SiE : You have undertaken to demonstrate to the country the fact that 
the South, when she laid down her arms at Appomatox and other points, 
did so in good faith, that her people are anxious, if possible, to observe 
the terms of that siurender, and that the charges of rebellious hostility on 
their part toward the Government are grountlless. Should you succeed 
in accompUshing this object and removing from the minds of our North- 
ern brethren the prejudice which has doubtless been engendered against 
us ui many instances by the slanderous politicians or viudictive scoun- 
drels who seek our desti-uction, you vnil have done more to reunite the 
several sections than a Eadical Congi-ess has been enabled to do by 
the Reconsti-uctiou measures of three j'ears. Yoiu' object is highly 
patriotic, and whether achieved or not, yom- effort will entitle you to the 
gratitude of all true lovers of the couutrj'. 

Thus far you have been more than successful. You have travelled from 
Vicksburg to Montgomery, and have not only been unharmed by "rebels," 
but have, on the contraiy, met with ovation after ovation — your progress 
has been one continued triumph. You have been everj'where enthusiasti- 
cally greeted and hospitably entertained by ex-Confederate soldiers. It 
atfords me much pleasure, at the request of the ladies of Montgomery, the 
mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters of ex-Confederate soldiers, to pre- 
sent you with this token of then- approbation and esteem. 

I thanked the ladies for their kindness. My sojourn in 
Montgomery was delightful, and I left it with reluctance. 
About this time the rains were quite fi-equent, and my jour- 
ney was rendered thoroughly disagreeable. 

February 23d found me in Tiiskeegee, where I attended 
church in the morning. In the afternoon many ladies and 
gentlemen called on me. 

Monday mox-ning the young ladies trimmed my flag with 
laurel, gave me bouquets, etc. One young lady presented me 
with a handsome cigar case, with this card attached : " Ac- 
cept this ' cigar case,' Sergeant Bates, from a true Southerner, 
but one who respects yoiu- noble mission and the banner you 
cai-ry." 



FROM VICKSBURG TO WASHINGTON. 13 

A little girl, only about eight years of age, had received a 
pretty doll-baby as a New Year's gift, which she valued only 
as little girls can. When she learned that I had a httle girl, 
she came to me with the doll and asked the name of my little 
girl. I told her Hattie was the name. She at once handed 
me the doll, and told me to give it to Hattie for her ; that 
she would not have given it to any one else. I kissed the 
httle child again and again. 

On the 25th of February I entered the State of Georgia. 
At Columbus another fine receiotion awaited me _; and during 
my sojourn in the city I was the constant recipient of atten- 
tions. My course thus far had been strewn with flowers, 
and here the same compliments were paid me. 

The places in the South which, during the war, were most 
zealous in the rebel cause, were the larger towns and the 
cities. Newspapers, telegraphs, and railroads gave them 
greater facilities for obtaining information. Thus far, on my 
march, the larger places had given me the most enthusiastic 
receptions. I believe the same sentiments of regard actuated 
the country people ; but, of coiu'se, they had no facilities for 
making demonstrations. 

At Macon, Georgia, I was entertained in regal style— re- 
ceived by the authorities, cheered by the people, called upon 
by the prominent citizens of the place, supx^lied with a beauti- 
ful carriage and with any quantities of bouquets. I was in- 
deed a favorite. I venture to say that no man in the United 
States, either North or South, would have received from the 
citizens of Macon a heartier reception. During my two days' 
stay in Macon I enjoyed every moment of the time. 

A few miles west of Milledgeville, I had the only conflict 
which attended my whole journey through the South. It was 
entirely unexpected and startling. If it had not been for my 
glorious flag-staff, I might not have survived to tell the tale. 
Five cur-dogs, of a disagreeable size, set upon me furiously, 
and seemed determined to punish my intrusion. The battle 
w^as hot and heavy for about fifteen minutes. I plied the flag- 
staff with vigor and dexterity, and, at last, the victory was 
mine. I can account for the hostihty of the dogs only on the 
ground that they are " rebels yet," and have not yet been re- 
constructed, nor taken the test-oath. It seems to me that 
such a display of the red-handed spirit of rebellion will neces- 
sitate a mihtary government over that country, until fruits 
•mete for repentance have been brought forth. Perhaps negro 
sufirage would teach better sentiments to the canine tribe, so 
that, after a time, a Northern man can go through that country 
peacefully, in no danger of berug attacked by hounds, who 



14 TRIUMPHAL MARCH OF SERGEA^T BATES 

then would have learned humbly to lick the dust at his feet. 
That would be complete reconstruction. The only disrespect 
shown the United States flag during my whole march came 
from these dogs near JMilledgeville. No white man offered it 
the slightest insult. 

March 5th I entered MOledgeville, the capital of Georgia. 
At this place I was received in the same enthusiastic manner 
as in the other cities lying along the line of my march. Here 
the officers of the army called upon me, and many Confederate 
soldiers did the same. 

March 9th I left Sparta and resumed my tramp through 
long stretches of pine forest, and over a road which was very 
sandy. About five miles from Sparta, at a place called Cul- 
verton, I met a large crowd of people awaituig for my arri- 
val. The school had given recess, and the childi-en gathered 
around me to shake hands with me and see the flag. I was 
cordially invited to remain there for some time and take din- 
ner with them, but I could not accept. So, bidding them 
good-bye, I set out again. I had proceeded only about a mile, 
when a boy came riding after me, at full speed, on horseback. 
He reined in his horse, as he came up to me, and cried out : 
" Sergeant, wait a minute, if you please. I missed seeing you 
at Culver ton, and I want to sliake hands with you." " Ser- 
geant," said he, " I love that flag, and always shall love it." 
Saying this, almost out of breath, he took my hand. In a 
httle while he turned his horse's head and rode back. 

An earnest, impulsive people are the Southerners, and the 
boy represents their character pretty well. 

A mile further on I met about twenty ladies on the road- 
side among the trees. There was no house in sight, and I 
wondered how they came there, and what they were doing. 
I soon found that they had brought dinner to me, intending 
to intercept me on my way. I enjoyed the entertainment very 
much, particularly on account of the manner in which it was 
given. 

The Southern ladies are loyal enough now. "VMiat harm 
will it do if they deck thefr brothers' graves with flowers ? 
I, as a Northern soldier, can take no offence at such a natui'al 
mark of affection. 

After taking my departure from the ladies, I i:)roceeded for 
several miles without seeing any one. Finally, on the road, 
far fr'om any house, I met a man who had served in the rebel 
army. He had been engaged in chopping wood. He said 
that he had been watching for me several days along the road, 
and asked me to accompany him to his home, distant about 
two miles. On the way he told me that the grave of his 



FEOM VICKSBUKG TO WASHINGTON. 15 

brother, who had faUen in the rebel cause, was not far from 
the road-side. I went with him to the spot. He stood upon 
one side of the grave and I upon the other. Unconsciously 
we bared our heads. A plain wooden head-board marked the 
place. As I read the inscription, he asked why such a bad 
state of feehng should continue to prevail— why should there 
still be enmity between the North and South ? and, as he 
spoke, he reached me his hand over the grave of his brother. 
I clasped it in the deepest emotion. Will any one say that I 
did wrong in taking the hand of' one against whom I had 
fought, but who now was willing to stand by the old flag and 
bury the differences of the past ? 

March 14th I was at Augusta, Georgia. The same ova- 
tion awaited me there. I remained several days, and twice 
attended the theatre. One evening, as I was sitting in the 
theatre, a negro sent word to me that my life was in danger. I 
knew no attempt would be made in the building, and therefore 
told a friend of mine to step out and see the state of affairs. 
He came back after a little while, and told me that quite a 
number of negroes in and about the building were quietly 
waiting for me to come out of the theatre, when they intended 
to set °on me and shoot me. My fiiend had armed himself 
with two revolvers, and resolved to see me safely home. 
When the play was over, we waited until nearly all the au- 
dience had passed out, when we moved out of the building. 
My companion did not attempt to conceal the fact that he was 
armed. As we passed out, the negroes were looking savage 
enough, and an occasional whisper passed between them, but 
no violence was shown. We reached home in safety. But, 
after the occurrences of that night, I was always more cau- 
tious about the negroes. They would not of themselves do me 
any harm, but unscrupulous white men, who infest the country, 
are constantly putting them up to all sorts of mischief. They 
pretend to be" the negros' friend, and say to them that such 
and such men intend to make slaves of the blacks again, and 
thus madden them to the commission of deeds of outrage. 
The presence of such men in a community is worse than the 
murrain among cattle. 

On the 16th of March I trod the soil of South Cai'ohna. 
Crossing the Bridge over the Savannah Kiver, I was heartily 
received by the people of Hamburg, and, after shaking hands 
and exchanging salutations, I resumed my tramp. Beached 
Columbia, the capital of the State, March 18th. The march 
had been severe. The weather was rainy, the roads bad, and 
the streams were swoUen enormously, and had no bridges 
over them. I was compelled to ford the streams on foot, and 



IG TRIUMPHAL MAKCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

of course was freqently wet with the cold water. I crossed 
the Congaree Eiver in a ferry boat, and found hundreds of 
the people of Columbia waiting to receive me. The Mayor 
made the sjoeech of welcome. I was then placed in a carriage 
and driven to a hotel. "A large procession followed in car- 
riages, on foot, and on horseback, led by young ladies on 
horseback. 

The following day I was shown about the city. Columbia 
was burned during the war, either by the rebel soldiers or by 
Sherman's — some doubt seems to exist about that. As the 
city now stands it is only a forest of blackened chimneys, sur- 
rounded by ashes and desolation. My reception in tliis city 
was just as cordial as in any of the others ; but it seemed more 
so, from the fact that the city was in ruins as a consequence 
of the war. I remained in Columbia four days, and verily be- 
lieve that I shook hands with every man ii town. There is a 
newspaper in Columbia called " The Phoenix." The name is 
most appropriate, for if there is one city on earth that needs 
a Phcenix to raise her once again from her ashes, it is Colum- 
bia, in South Carolina. 

At Winsboro' the whole town were out to receive me. A 
delegation of Confederate soldiers met me about a mile from 
the town and escorted me in. About seventy-five soldiers 
altogether entertained me in a most hospitable manner. 
"Willie in Winsboro' I was called to the bedside of a Captain, 
once in the Confederate army. He was suffering from the 
effects of injuries received during the war, and was very near 
his end. He had sent for me, as a Northern man, to ' ^press 
tile thoughts which lay nearest his heart. He spoke ox' the 
war, and the desolation which it had wrought, of the passion 
and hatred which it had engendered, and expressed the belief 
that the Northern people could could not be aware of the true 
feelings of the South, otherwise they could not pursue their 
present policy of resentment and distrust. His whole existence 
seemed embittered by the sad condition of the country. He 
thanked me for my efforts to dispel the false impressions pre- 
vailing ill the minds of the Northern people, and hoped that 
I would be successful. The gratitude of that dying man more 
than repaid me for all the trouble which I had undergone — 
for the separation from my family, for the long weary marches 
which I had made through rain and mud; it repaid me for all 
the dangers which I was constantly passing through, and for 
the scenes of suffering and distress which presented them- 
selves daily before my eyes. I left him, knowing that he must 
soon go to another world. But I felt siii-e that he Avas an 
honest, upright man, and had the best interests of the country 



FROM VICKSBUEG TO WASHINGTON. 17 

at heart. I bade him good-by m sadness. The news of his 
death reached me soon after, and the mteUigence was not un- 
expected. He has gone to a better world, where all true men 
finally go. I do not believe that in the presence of the Father 
of the Universe, in Heaven above, the Northern hero and the 
Southern hero are still warring with each other. No, their 
spirits are as peaceful and calm as their bones which lie side 
by side on the battle-lield. And as the grass grows green over 
their graves, in evenness and beauty, so their souls in the 
realms above pour forth harmonious praise, without discord, 
without hatred, in the perpetual concord of Heaven. 

March 24th I left Winsboro'. Seven miles out I was over- 
taken by an old man -who was making double-quick time to 
catch up with me. He commenced the conversation. " Ser- 
geant," said he, " mv name is John Vincent. You see I am 
an old man, but I sefVed four years in the Confederate army. 
I can assure you, sir, all the Confederate soldiers are your 
fiiends. They are the friends of all the Northern soldiers 
who are true men and have magnanimity. A great many of 
the Northern people, I fear, Sergeant, don't understand us. 
We are willing to-day to fight for the stars and stripes and 
the Constitution against any nation in the world. Just tell 
your fi-iends that. Sergeant, and they won't think so badly of 
us. We are all Americans, and love the old flag, every one 
CI us. 

All this section of the country was looking poorly. Some 
few men were at work, and they were white men. The ne- 
groes Y te doing little or nothing. I had been absent from 
Vicksburg about three weeks before I saw a single negro at 
work. From my observation, I must say tlie negi-oes do very 
little work at the South now. They have little incentive ; 
for, in case they get short of provisions, the Freedmen's 
Bureau steps in and supplies their wants. The j^resent 
status of the negro is not a happy one, and I believe will lead 
to no desirable result. 

March 25th, when I was about thirteen miles out from 
Chester, I saw a man watering his mule, and being very 
thirsty, I asked him for a di-ink of water. He looked at me 
for a moment, and then exclaimed : " Arrah, by all the 
blessed saints, if here isn't Sergeant Bates, to be sure. Is it 
a drink of water you want, Sergeant dear? faith, ye shall 
have it an' welcome. Hello, Mary darlin, (to his wife,) open 
your eyes till ye'll see something. Sure, and here is Sergeant 
Bates at last, the bowld boy, that's taking the ould flag from 
Vicksburg to Washington. Be quick now, darlin, and get 
him something hot to ate, for the dear boy must be divlish 



18 TRirMPHAL IMAKCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

hun-iT." His wife began ^^-iping her hands on her apron 
andli broad smile lit up her face. " Indade, Sergeant, come 
^n Vill you take a chair now, for you mus. be weary. 
Duffy, (this was the name of the family, don yoii see the 
SS-g^ait's boots ? Off with them now," till ^'^/^f.!^:;^:, 
Ah Sergeant, those great boots must hate your fateteinbh. 
the went on busily preparing the dinner, ^^ kept r^a con- 
stant chattering and talkmg while I was theie. An have 
you a wife, Seigeant ? " " Yes, Mrs. Duffy," I rephed. She 
Litiuued:' " ^Yhat is her name. Sergeant ; an' have ye chd- 
dreu'^" "I have two chddren, Mrs. Duffy. She added. 
''How old are they, Sergeant, and what is then- names 
I told her. She then remarked : "How could you lave the 
darhi to take such a terrible long tramp? Sure, an the 
poor wife must be dyin' with fright and wornment alter ye 
The dinner was soon ready, and I partook of i with a relish 
and soon after left my friends, who asked God's blessing on 
me, my wife, and family. There is nothing more hearty than 
Ii-ish hospitality the world over. 

Soon after leaving my Irish friends I came to a run which 
I foSed, with coat Sff", sleeves rolled up, boots off, and pants 
rolled up, flag furled, and the cover on. When I was over, 
and while I put on my boots and re-arranged my clothing 
severll boys Lme in sight. " Where have you been, boys ? 
a d L ''Been to take^dad his chnner ; he's at work out here 
in the woods." I inquked how far it was to Rock Hill. One 
of hem rephed, "It's 'bout six miles, and mighty ci-ooked 
road t-, I^teU'you. You're looking for a 30^, am^t^^u, 
stran-er? WeU, I reckon you can get a job at hock Hill , 
if you don't, just go down the river about eight miles. They 
are building l milt thar, and you get thirteen ^ol^^-^^^^. J-^^ .^ 
in specie, and ah the folks is white men ; niggers won t woik 

^^S^^lTl^'SSr timber conversation, and reached 
Rock Hill at 5 p. M. Large crowds of people were out to 
receive me. In the evening they gave me a serenade 

Mr. O. Mathews, an old man, who had served m the Con- 
federate army, who had lost two sons in the ^-^^-'.f^^/^^^^^^^- 
in-law, insisted on accompanying me for a tew mile^, ^hen I 
left Rock Hill the next morning. The old man was as caie- 
ulof miasif Ihadbeenhiso^vllchild. He said there was 
a hioh bridge over the Catawba river, which General Stone- 
mai^had destroyed, and which had not been pei'i^^f ^ ^^^I 
paired ; he was afraid I would fall through thejornlg ^an 
when we reached it, eight miles distant from ^^ck Hdl noth 
ing else would do but he took me by the hand and led me 



FEOM VICKSB'OEG TO WASHINGTON. 19 

across the bridge as if I were blind. This is but one of the 
many instances in which I was shown such parental tender- 
ness. The old man took his leave of me on the oj)posite side ■ 
of the bridge, and I continued my march alone. Very soon 
I arrived at Fort Mills ; at this place I met about twenty-five 
Confederate soldiers, who informed me that they had assem- 
bled to give the " flag" an escort of honor out of South Caro- 
lina into North Carolina. They asked the jDrivilege of accom- 
panying me. I gave my consent very readily. The proces- 
sion was formed, and we started for the boundary line, which 
was about sis miles distant. A strong breeze was blowing at 
the time, and I entered the State of North Carolina with col- 
ors flying. As I crossed the hne the escort gave three cheers, 
such as only old soldiers can give. My friends in Wisconsin 
used to say that if I ever set foot in youth Carolina I would 
never come out again, unless it was in a coffin. If they could 
have heard those cheers they would have given up all ideas 
about coffins. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon I arrived at Chai-lotte. 
At the outskirts of the city I was met by the Mayor and the 
City Council. The Mayor, in a few appropriate remarks, 
tendered me the hospitaHties of the city. I was then driven 
in a carriage to the Mansion House. Several hundred peo- 
ple had assembled in fi'ont of the hotel, and, as I sprang out 
of the carriage, before entering, Mr. James Gleason, a war- 
worn veteran of the Confederate army, who is still suffering 
from his wounds, proposed three cheers for Sergeant Bates, 
the United States flag, and the white man's government ; 
and such rousing cheers, they made the welkin ring. I re- 
mained in Charlotte to have a pair of shoes made, and while 
there, everybody called to see me, and among the number 
several j)rominent Confederate officers. Late m the afternoon 
of March 27th, a young man, named James Orr, called to see 
me, with a small bundle in his hand. He said he had been a 
soldier in Lee's army ; that he held in his hand a United 
States flag, belonging to the headquarters of a corps, which 
had been caj^tured by General Kosser, of the Southern army. 
It cost the General some hard fighting and a good many 
lives ; but, said the young man, you have recaptured it. Ser- 
geant, without firing a gun. It is yours, sir ; take it. He 
then explained to me that the flag had been placed among 
the archives of the rebel government as a trophy. But when 
those archives were scattered, after the fall of Richmond, 
he obtained possession of the flag — and now presented it to 
me as a trophy of my peaceful triumph. 

March 28th I reached Concord. The Mayor and a com- 



20 TKIUMPHAL MAECH OF SERGEANT BATES 

mittee met me a mile out of town. As I approaclied the city 
limits the bells commenced ringing, and rang a joyous peal as 
I walked up to the Court House. Here the Mayor made a 
little speech. Afterward I was shown my room at the hotel, 
and received numerous calls from the citizens. 

At night they gave me a serenade, and called me out for a 
sj^eech. I resj)onded to the best of my ability; several of the 
l^arty followed, and oui* meeting was prolonged an hoiu- and 
a half. 

The next day being Sunday, I was very reluctant to set 
out, and should not have done so, but for the reason that the 
newspapers had announced me at certain places on the route 
for joarticular days. Moreover, if I had not kept the appoint- 
ments, some paper would have accused me of tr;ydiig to elude 
some one who wanted a shot at rae. 

When within three miles of Salisbury, I was met by a large 
crowd of persons who were waiting for me. From that point 
all the way in the city, the road was lined on both sides by 
people who had assembled there to witness my approach. 
About a mile from the city the Mayor met me. He remarked 
that the city had surrendered to my banner without terms ; 
that preparations had been made in \dew of my arrival, and 
that I would find everything in readiness for me at the 
Boyden House. On entering my room, I found a mag- 
nificent bouquet — a 2:)resent fi-om a lady of Salisbury. Noth- 
ing could have been more cordial than my reception in this 
place. 

Thomasville, in North Carohna, is not a lai'ge j^lace. When 
I was about two miles distant from it, quite a crowd of people, 
provided with a brass band, met me. They gave three heart}' 
cheers for the Sergeant and the United States flag, and at 
once formed in procession to act as an escort. The band 
struck up a hvely tune, and we marched into the town. 
Quarters had been provided for me at the house of Mrs. 
Taylor. That night I was serenaded again. I dare say it 
was the same band which discoursed the music. The nest 
morning I set out, accompanied for a mile or more by num- 
bers of people, and the brass band once more supplied the 
music. In passing by the Female Institute, any quantity of 
flowers were offered me — many more than I could hold in my 
hands with comfort. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs 
and wished me God speed. 

March 31st, I arrived at Greensboro'. A great crowd of 
people, male and female, black and white, with the Mayor at 
their head, welcomed me as the guest of the city. The band 
played a march, and we moved on thi-ough the streets to the 



FROM VICKSBURG TO WASHINGTON. 21 

hotel, where rooms had been provided for me. Here I met 
quite a number of Wisconsin men — Col. John Crane, of the 
18th Wisconsin Infantry; Col. Thos. B. Keogh, of Milwaukee; 
P. F. Dufiy, of Lafayette Coimty, Wisconsin, and several 
other men who had been soldiers in the Union army, from 
my State. Our meeting was very pleasant. 

At Greensboro' I determined to take a ride to Raleigh, al- 
though that city lay outside my line of march. My plan was 
to take the cars for Raleigh, make my visit there, return to 
Greensboro', and resume my journey on foot. Accordingly, 
on the 1st day of April, I took the train for Raleigh. At 
every station crowds were gathered to catch a glimpse of me 
and my little flag; and when we reached Raleigh I found an 
immense assemblage about the depot. 

After taking some refreshment at the hotel, Mr. Betts called 
for me to take a drive about the city and visit the public 
buildings. We went first to the State House, where I was 
presented to Gov. Worth. After half an hour's conversation, 
we took our leave of him, and visited the other pubhc build- 
ings in the city. At 5 o'clock p. m., I took the train for 
Greensboro'. At every station there were more people col- 
lected about the depots than in the mornmg. At Mebansville 
about fifty school boys had assembled to see me. They were 
nicely uniformed. I stej^ped out on the platform and receiA"ed 
their cheers. The boys then insisted on seeing my flag, and 
it was brought out of the car. When they saw it, they cheered 
again. One of the boys said: " I have seen that flag before." 
" Yes," retorted another, " you saw it from behind the biggest 
tree you could find." ' Some of the boys had served in the 
army during the war, and one of them, only fifteen or Mxteen 
years of age, had lost a leg. One of the boys now spoke up 
and said: "Sergeant, we woiild fight for that flag as quick as 
you would, but you folks up Nortla don't believe it, do you ? 
Now, come right out and say what you think — do the North- 
ern people believe we would fight for the flag ?" " Well, 
boys," said I, " there are many people in the North who still 
honestly believe that you hate the flag, and would do nothing 
to defend it. But, boys, they do not know your true senti- 
ments. They have been misled by bad men and bad news- 
papers." I never saw a finer set of boys. As the train moved 
oft', they waved their caps and cheered me again. 

It was my intention to leave Greensboro' on the 2d of April, 
but several Confederate soldiers insisted on my remaining and 
spending the day with them. All the unpleasant memories 
of the war were di-opped: the verdict of battle was recognized 
by all, and no one suggested that any attempt ought ever to 



22 TRTOMPHAL MARCH OF SEEGEAJIT BATES 

be made to reverse that verdict. "We all felt tliat we vrere 
citizens of one country — that the future which lay before us 
Avoukl always find us citizens of one country, inseparably 
united. Each one felt that it was his duty to become recon- 
ciled and bury forever the angiy passions of the past, and the 
sectional antagonism which had become almost hereditary. 
Those men, whose manhood has been tested on the battle- 
field, have no desire to renew bloody conflict anywhere in 
this country. If the settlement of the reconstruction question 
had been left to the soldiers on the battle-field, in the hour of 
triumph, it would have been arranged amicably, justly, and 
magnanimously. The petty spite of some politicians, the in- 
veterate hatred of others, and the wild utopian schemes of 
others, have kept the country divided, and have prevented 
a reunion of the peojile, which was spontaneous and almost 
irrepressible at the close of the war. Against them let the 
evils of the past three years be dii-ected, for they lie to their 
charge. 

I resumed my march on the 3d of April, tramping through 
mud and rain. The bad weather made no diflerence in the 
warmth of the receptions extended to me by the j>eople. In 
every village, town and hamlet on my route, a crowd of per- 
sons were always assembled to welcome me and my flag. At 
Reedsville, Gov. Holden, of North Carolina, called on me. 
Our interview lasted half an hour. I soon took my departure, 
and walked towards the Virginia State line — Virginia, the 
"Mother of Presidents" and the "Mother of States." I 
crossed the line. Only one State lay between me and my 
journey's end. "With renewed vigor I pressed toward. 

April 4th, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I arrived at Dan- 
AoUe, and was received by a great crowd of people, provided 
with a band of music. My reception was the same that I had 
met with at all the other cities, and need not be described 
more minutely. 

Continual marching, in all sorts of weather, was beginning 
to wear on me. My foot and ankle became swollen and pain- 
ful, and caused me no little trouble in walking. Knowing that 
I was annoiuiced at all the cities for certain days, it became 
necessary for me to keej) up. 

On the 7th of April I made a forced march, in order to 
reach Aiueha Court-House. I arrived at 11 o'clock at night, 
in the rain. I found ]Mi's. Joxcph Cance awaiting my arrival. 
Her house was illuminated, and every one of the family was 
up. Mrs. Cance had stationed a "lookout" on the road to 
watch for me and conduct me to the house. On entering, I 
learned to my sui-prise that a sumptuous supper was prepared 



FKOM VICKSBUKG TO WASHINGTON. 23 

for me. I enjoyed it exceedingly, and was much affected by 
the kindness of the good peoi:»le in whose way fortune had 
thrown me. I retired, with the request that I should be 
called at 4 o'clock in the moning, for it was necessary that I 
should leave at that early hour in order to reach Richmond 
when I was expected. Mrs. Cance, fearing that a servaut 
might not call me at the right time, sat up herself all night, 
in order that there should be no mistake. I knew nothing of 
her intention until morning, or I should have protested 
against it strenuously. At the ajjpointed hour I rose, found 
an inviting breakfast ready for me, but could not eat any- 
thing so early in the morning. I bade my kind friends 
good-bye, and set out for Richmond. Along the road I saw 
a great many negroes with shot-guns, shooting every bkd 
that came in their way, and lazily moving around from one 
place to another. 

My foot was paining me somewhat, but I kept tramping all 
day, and about 4 p. m. entered the City of Richmond, across 
the Richmond and Danville Railroad bridge. The crowd had 
exjDCcted me by another route, and had assembled at a bridge 
further down to receive me. It soon became known where I 
was, and the j^eople crowded around me by hundreds, and 
constantly were increasing in numbers. I pressed forward 
through them towards the Exchange Hotel. The further I 
advanced, the greater was the crowd. It was no easy matter 
to work my way through the thousands who thronged the 
streets. But finally I succeeded in reaching the hotel, where 
I was shown to my room. Fatigued and hungTy, I did not 
feel like seeing any one until I had rested a short time and 
had taken my dinner. A carriage was ready for me after 
dinner. Taking my flag in my hand, I rode through the 
principal parts of the town. I alighted at the eastern en- 
trance of the Capitol G-rounds, and marched through to the 
Capital, ascended to the dome, and waved my flag over the 
city which was once the stronghold of the rebellion. Thous- 
ands of persons had gathered in the grounds and in the 
building. When I descended into the rotunda, I was intro- 
duced to hundreds. The Conservative members of the Con- 
vention, at that time in session, came into the rotunda and 
shook hands with me. The negroes and cai-pet-baggers were 
cross and sullen. As I left the rotunda, the people made way 
for me, and I returned to the carriage. We drove for a short 
time and then returned to the hotel. The following day, in 
compliance with the wishes of a great many, I had my pho- 
tograph taken, and afterwards visited the camps about the city. 
I was entertained very handsomely in Richmond, and had 



24 TKIUMPHAL MARCH OF &EEGE-\NT BATES 

frequent conTersations with the prominent men of the city 
on local and national affairs. They all bore the same tes- 
timony. They were wiUijig and anxious to retm-n to the 
Union, but they hated military rule, and they detested negro 
suffrage. 

April 10th, I left Richmond with reluctance, for my stay 
there of two days had been unusually pleasant. Every one 
was kind to me. I arrived at Hanover Junction at G p. m., 
and accepted the invitation of Mr. Thomas W. Gill to remain 
with him duruig the night. The next day I pressed forward 
through that terrible country, woods and undergi'owth and 
mud abounding in every direction. Now and then would I 
meet some solitary man. At half-past five in the afternoon I 
reached Fredericksburg, drenched with rain, bespattered with 
mud, and thoroughly fatigued. Near here I visited the house 
where Stonewall Jackson died. The Southern people have a 
gi-eat aflection for the memory' of this man. He was known 
to be a thoroughly honest and upright man, a good General, 
and as fearless as the bravest. 

From Fredericksburg the roads seemed to get worse — the 
mud deeper, the rain heavier, the streams had fewer bridges, 
and the weather much colder. I left Fredericksburg on the 
12th of April, took a cold dinner on the road, and trudged on 
towards Dumfries. The day was cheerless and cold. I 
reached Dumfries at six o'clock in the evening. Here again 
I Avas heartily welcomed, and spent the night. 

The next morning, leaving Dumfries, I walked towards 
Alexandria. From the top of Johnson's Hill, I looked across 
the country and across the broad Potomac towards Washing- 
ton, and saw the the grand, white, beautiful dome of the 
Capital rising upon my sight, reposing so majestically like a 
snowy mountain peak in the chstance. A thrill of ecstasy shot 
through my veins and arteries. The end of my journey was near. 
From yonder distant dome I should wave my flag, for M'hich 
I had acquired so much love, and my labor would be done. 
The capital seemed to welcome me, my friends seemed to wel- 
come me, my home, my wife and children welcomed me. And, 
more than all, I was successful in my enterprise, and had 
proved the truth of assertions regarding the people of the 
South. No rebel fiend had " cut my heart out before I got ten 
miles fi-om Vicksburg." No one had trampled my banner in 
the dust. No one had called upon me to renounce my 
Northern opinion or to accei)t Southern opinions. I had 
pi-oved all such allegations to be false, and had A-indicated 
millions of my fellow countrymen from the lies which dema- 
gogues had circulated against them. No one was near me. I 



FROM VICKSBUKG TO WASHINGTON. 25 

was alone with my flag amidst the desolation which war had 
wrought, but my soul was filled with a joy which no words 
can describe. 

Washington was still several miles distant — too far to be 
reached that day; therefore I continued my march only to 
Alexandria. Here I sjDent the night. In the evening the 
ladies and gentlemen of the city gave me a surprise in the 
shape of a masquerade. They came to the hotel in all des- 
cribable forms and figures — with costumes as quaint and droll 
as the fashions of fairy land. The evening passed away very 
pleasantly. 

The next day, the 14th day of April, was to be the last day 
of my march. I arose in the morning wdth alacrity, and, after 
taking quite an early breakfast, left Alexandria for Washing- 
ton. The morning was clear, and as I walked along I occa- 
sionally met persons on the road. Every one knew w^ho I was, 
for my arrival had been announced. I spoke with nearly 
every one whom I passed. 

After reaching Arlington Heights, I descended to the Long 
Bridge and commenced crossing the Potomac. This was 
about nine o'clock in the morning. I had got about half way 
across, when I saw a gentleman on horseback coming from 
the Washington end of the bridge. He rode up to me, and 
stopping his horse, asked, " Is this Sergeant Bates ?" I re- 
plied in the affirmative. He continued; " We are from the 
same State, Sergeant, I beheve. My name is Mr. Doolittle. 
I wish to thank you, sir, for having done a glorious act." I 
thanked him, and replied: " Senator, I have heard your name 
spoken a thousand times at the South. They look upon you 
as an unselfish, noble-hearted man all through that country." 
He rode slowly back to the end of the bridge, talking with me 
about my journey; then, after in\'iting me to call and see him 
while in the city, he rode away. He was the first man who 
welcomed me at Washington, whether by design or accident 
on his part I am not able to say. I had never seen him to 
speak with him before, but I learned to like him well before I 
left the city. At the end of the bridge hundreds of people 
were assembled, and as I stepped upon the soil of Washington, 
they cheered me again and again. 

A Committee from the Conservative Army and Navy Union 
took me in charge and conducted me to the house of Col. 
Faunce. Shortly after 1 o'clock a Committee of the Citizens 
of Washington made their appearance in company with a band 
of Music. They formally welcomed me to the National 
CajDitol, and said they were in readiness to accompany me to 
the President's House and then to the Capitol. The crowd 



26 TRIUMPHAL MARCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

of people outside were formed into a procession, and Leaded 
by the band, moved up Fourteenth street to Pennsylvania 
Avenue. I Avalked in front of all "with my flag unfurled. In 
spite of the liea\-y rain which had commenced to fall, the 
streets were thronged with people, and occasionally they al- 
most obstructed the way. The balcony and steps of the 
Treasury Dejiartment, as well as the windows and offices of 
the buildings on the opposite side of the street, v/ere crowded 
with jieople who cheered lustily as the procession passed by. 
Arrived at the Executive Mansion, I was met by the President 
in the portico, who shook my hand cordially, and remarked: 
"All I want to do is simply to welcome you aud^-our flag." He 
then invited me into the Mansion and conducted me to the 
East Eoom. Quite a number of the procession entered also. 
The President said: " I merelj- desire to sincerely and cor- 
dially vv'elcome you and your flag, with which you have travelled 
so many miles. I have no addi'ess or speech to make, but 
wish to testify my gratification at seeing you in "Washington." 
The President conversed with me a few moments, and request- 
ing me to call again, excused himself and withdi-ew. His 
daughtei', Mrs. Patterson, presented me with a beautiful 
bouquet of flowers. Subsequently I was subjected to the ordeal 
of shaldng hands, but I soon made my way out of the "White 
House. The procession was reformed, and we marched to the 
Metropolitan Hotel. Here I was escorted to the front balcony 
of the house and was introduced to the jieople below, who 
cheered me heartily. Mr. C. A. Eldridge, of Wisconsin, was 
then introduced to .welcome me publicly. He spoke as fol- 
lows: 

SPEECH OF HON. C. A. ELDEIDGE. 

Fellow Citizens: It is owing to the fact that I am a citizen of Wiscon- 
sin that I am allowed on this occasion a brief moment to present again to 
you the guest of the citizens of Washington a worthy son of the State Wis- 
consin, Sergeant Bates. [Applause. ] He finding a popular en-or existing in 
the State of Wisconsin, like that, perhaps, in every Northern State, that the 
people of the Southern States, whom our conquering ai'ms subdued, were 
hostile to the flag and Government of the llepiiblic, undertook to carry 
that flag from Yicksburg to Washington, on foot and uuatteudud. for the 
purpose of planting it on the dome of the Capitol, and showing the actual 
feeling towards it. He has demonstrated to the people of the countiy and 
the world that no such hostility exists, and that the jjcople of the South 
submit to the flag of the Union in good laith, and are determined to main- 
tain their allegiance to it, as they expect the people of the North to main- 
tain theirs. [Applause. ] 

But I will not detain you in this pelting storm. I understand Sergeant 
Bates will now proceed to the dome of the Capitol with the flag which he 
has borne in honor and triumjih Irom Yicksbmg to Washington. He has 
received nothing but kindness and respect during all his long jomTiey. 



FROM ^^CKSBUIlG TO WASHINGTON. 



27 



The people have eveiywhere honored and encouraged him, because of the 
emblem which he bore. .... .1 • 

But my friends, I cannot forget the fact that it is just seven years this 
dav since the flag of the Republic was lowered in humility and sorrow 
from the battlements of Sumter. The flag that Major Anderson was then 
forced to take down now floats proudly over evei-y foot of our land, 
respected and honored by aU. And this young man who, without money 
and alone, and on foot, has earned it for more than fourteen hundred 
miles, will now plant it in glory and triumph upon the dome of the Na- 
tional Capitol. [Applause.] 

At tlie conclusiou of IVIr. Eldridge, a speech was made by 
General Miingen, of Oliio. 

At the condusiou of the addresses, three cheers were given 
for Sergeant Bates, and three more for the flag. 

I left the balcony, descended to the street, resumed my 
place at the head of the procession, and walked to the east 
front of the Capitol, for the purpose of unfurlmg the flag 
from the dome. With a few persons I ascended the steps 
which lead to the rotunda, and approached the door, for the 
purpose of entering. The Chief of the Capitol Pohce halted 
us, and said that he had positive orders not to permit Ser- 
geant Bates to carry his flag into the Capitol, or to make any 
demonstrations. An order was then produced from General 
Michler, Superintendent of Pubhc Buildings, giving nie per- 
mission to ascend to the dome. The policeman gruffly re- 
marked that he did not get his orders from General Michler, 
but, if the order was endorsed by the Sergeant-at-Arms ot 
the Senate, he would allow me to pass in. Some one went to 
Mr. Brown, and, after twenty minutes'* delay, obtained his 
sio-nature. The pohceman then said that I could not go m 
unless I had also the endorsement of the Sergeant-at-Arms 
of the House of Representatives. Some one set about finchng 
him, but he was not to be found. I waited, cold and wet, 
outside the rotunda, while scores of people, white and black, 
were allowed free entrance, and no questions were asked. I 
held in my hand a httle flag about five feet long and three 
feet wide. I had carried it over fourteen hundred miles 
through the heart of the Southern country, and it had been 
cheered by a million voices on the way. Was it for this that 
I must be debarred from the Capitol of my country, which I 
fought to defend ? W^as it for this little flag, the emblem of 
our nation, which could not possibly be in any one's way, 
whether I carried it to the dome or not— was it for this that 
I must be kept in the rain and the cold at the bidding of an 
insolent policeman ? • i. n 1 i.i 

That flag— the stars and stripes— was insulted by tlie 
pohcemeu of Congress. I had waved it from the capitol oi 



28 TKITJMPHAL MAPvCH OF SEKGEA:N'T BATES 

every Southern State from Mississippi to Virginia, and no 
one raised the sHghtest objection; but, in Washington, the 
officers of Congress refused to allow me to wave the flag 
from the dome of the Capitol, when it was known that such 
was my wish and purpose. No one ever claimed that any 
harm could be done by granting my wish. Mr. Ordway could 
not be found. Even if his endorsement had been obtained, 
the i^ohce would have demanded some other endorsement. 
I have since learned that several prominent Radicals of the 
Senate and the House, spoke to the Chief of Police, and 
cautioned him about allowing Sergeant Bates to enter the 
Capitol with his flag. They did not like my way of doing 
things, and intended to put a stop to it. One thing is certain, 
whatever may be the reason, I was kept out of the Capitol 
because I bore the American flag in my hand, by the power 
which controls the Houses of Congress. My flag and myself 
were only once before insulted during the march, and that 
was not far from Milledgeville, in Georgia. The insult was 
given by several mongrel cur-dogs, which I cudgeled thor- 
oughly with my flag- staff. 

Ashamed of the spirit which controlled Congress, outraged 
by the persistent insolence of the joohce, enraged at the insult 
which had been offered to me and my flag, I turned from the 
steps of the Capitol, resolving to finish my march under more 
favorable circumstances, when my flag would be received at 
least as cordially as it was in the so-called rebel States. Cou- 
gi-ess may have become so powerful that they need not re- 
spect that banner, but let the future decide that. 

I was about to return to the hotel when a friend suggested 
to me that I should go to Washington's Monument and imfui'l 
the flag there. I did so, over that unfinished and neglected 
column of marble which is proposed as a monument to the 
"Father of his Coimtry." I unfurled my weather-worn flag, 
which for nearly three months had been carried by me, alone, 
through the Southern States, over hills and through valleys, 
plains, forests, hamlets, villages, towns, and cities. 

At the monument, Hon. E. O. Perrin, of New York, re- 
cently appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah, 
was called upon, and spoke as follows: 

SPEECH OF HON. E. 0. PERRIN. 

Seegeant Bates: As unexpectedly to myself as to you, the Reception 
Committee have this moment requested ine to welcome you and your flag, 
after having been diiven fi-om the portals of the nation's Capitol. 

After such a repulse from such a source, no place could be more appro- 
priate than here, at the base of this unfinished monument, erected to 
commemorate the virtues of Geokge Washington, the Father of his 
Country. 



I'ROM TICKSBUEG TO WASHINGTON. 29 

Could the spirit of that great patriot look down upon this melancholy 
scene to-day, he might deliver another farewell addi-ess to all the hopes 
and prospects of a distracted countrj'. 

Look but a moment on the picture. That silken banner, wrought by 
fan* hands upon the banks of the Misi-dssiiipi, and placed in your keeping 
by the citizens of Vicksburg on the 28th of last January, has been borne 
by you, over mountain and valley, 'mid sunshine and rain, by night and 
by day, for nearly three weary months, through the States of Mississippi, 
Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, and 
everywhere throughout these once rebellious States it has been hailed with 
joy and gladness — every city, village, and town joining in the glad shout 
— old men and j'oung men, soldiers and citizens, matrons and maidens, 
all, all welcoming it as the harbinger of better days. Even at Montgomery 
and Richmond, the boasted capitals of the late Confederacy, you were 
escorted to the dome of each Capitol, and the stripes and stars kissed 
again the balmy breeze of the once rebellious South, amid the loud plaudits 
of a conquered people. 

I learn, from good authority, that but one paper in all the South cast 
any imputation upon you or your banner — "Pollard's Southern Opinion," 
a rebel sheet, which echoes only the opinion of Pollard, and hardly that. 
He called upon the ' ' jieople of CaroUna to meet you on the border, welcome 
your insolent approach, and seat you on some tall, solitary chimney, left 
by Sherman as a bleak monument of his vandal raid, and .there let you 
wave your rag of oppression amid the hootings and ciirses of an insulted 
people." Not a man, woman, or child responded to the unjust call. 
Mark my prediction, the whole revolutionary Northern press, down to 
"my two papers, both daily," will catch this inspiration, join the vile 
strain, and echo back some fiendish chorus. Indignant rebuke followed 
the appeal down there; and, believe me, that here the reddest thunder- 
bolt in God's fiery wi'ath is reserved to come down upon the heads of those 
who fatten on spoils, revel in plunder, and prostitute their patronage, all 
in the name of " hberty" and the flag of their country. 

I have it from your own lips, that everywhere upon your triumphal 
journey you have received the same warm, joyous, patriotic greeting, 
and ail %vithout the expenditure of one dollar, from Vicksburg to Wash- 
ington. 

Yet here, in the capitol of the nation, by men full of professions and 
boasting of loyalty, you have met your first, your only rebuff. At the 
moment you expected to crown your triumphal march by planting that 
flag upon the dome of the Capitol, the massive doors of that temple of 
liberty are slammed in your face by the very men who have bolted and 
barred out infinitely more loyal Eepresentatives than themselves, and you 
are driven to Washington's Monument; and there, with bowed head, yoii 
have unfurled your banner. 

Had the so-called rebels torn from it twenty-seven bright stars, a Radical 
Congress would have welcomed the dismantled ensign with shouts of 
joy, as being evidence of an unrepentant people. But it was a standing 
rebuke to them to find it pass safely and triumphantly throughout your 
entire journey, without an insult, and requiring no reconstruction at their 
hands. 
Yours is the same banner denounced thus by the Radical Tribune : 

" Tear down the flaunting lie; 

rnrl vip the starry flag ; 
Insult 110 sunny sky 

■With hate's iJoUuted rag." 

Could you expect a better fate for the flag of your country from such a 
source ? 



30 TRIUMPH AT. MARCH OF SEBGEAXT BATES 

Had it met this repulse and insult at Montgomery or Eichmond, then 
would your coming have been welcomed -nith Eadical delight. 

It matters not, therefore, if you did defend that tiag duiing the v\-ar, and 
love and revere it in time of peace, you are guilty of a "high crime and 
misdemeanor;" and desei-ve impeachment for presuming to float it from 
yonder Dome -with thii-ty-seven stars upon it, representing as many States, 
•while the Hump below have s^vorn that ten of those stars Tepreseut only 
" conquered provincts," jjinned to the Union by loyal bayonets, and governed 
by five military dictators. 

Yoiu" mistake, Mr. Sergeant, is an innocent and a natural one. You be- 
lieved in the professions of these men. You thought their loud boasting 
of love for the Union was sincere. The i^eople once thought like you, but, 
like yourself, they too have been undeceived, and find that, while they 
kec'i^ the word of promise to the ear, they break it to the hope. Had you 
taken some dusky son of Ham, and borne him, Atlas-hlce, upon your back 
through the sunny South, and landed him safely here, a Eadical Congress 
would have opened wide those bolted doors, and. when you thnist your 
sable brother — the American citizen of African descent — into the outstretch- 
ed arms of the Goddess of Liberty which crowns the dome of yonder 
Capitol, one loud, long shout of joy would have gone up from those gilded 
halls below, and you would have been hailed as a hero and crowned with 
the laurel. 

Seated in the same Capitol from which you are diiven, they strike down 
the Supreme Court, trample upon the Constitution of our fathers, ride 
over the sacredncss of law, and, in madness of their wrath, drunken ■s\'ith 
power, they are this moment enacting the solmn farce of impeaching a 
President for the high crime and misdemeanor of refusing to bow down to 
their party lash, and daring to stand between them and an outraged Con- 
stitution. 

This ' ' traitor President" gave you and the flag a warm welcome to-day, 
and the loyal Senate, that bars you out of the Capitol, may, for that high 
crime, frame another charge in their bill of indictment. 

The President stood beneath the flag in the time of war, and such men 
love it in time of peace. 

When the rebellion raged, he did not continue " to dwell in those marble 
halls, " but resigned his cushioned seat in the Senate, gave up his five 
thousand a year, and beariug a commission from Pi-esident Lincoln, he 
went back to his own Tennessee, then sarrounded by rebel armies, and 
beneath just such a banner he " fought out the good fight" till he brought 
back the land of Jackson to the Union of our Fathers ; the only State yet 
restored since the Confederacy of Jeff. Davis crumbled to the ground. Yet 
he is a "traitor," and the men who did not insult and repulse your flag are 
"rebels." 

Compare his record with the mihtary career of that radical body that has 
just repulsed you, and are now sitting in solemn mockeiy as a " EUgh Court 
of Impeachment on him. " Call the roll of that ' ' High Court, " and then 
call the roll of all the armies of the Nation, and show me the name of a 
single Senatorial Impeacher that ever followed that flag into battle, or 
fought beneath its stripes and stars. 

From what source, then, do they obtain their warrant to condemn better 
and braver men? On what bloody fields did they win their laurels ? Diuing 
four years of sanguinary war, and almost four of unrecons/ructcd peace, 
what arms did they ever face except the ebony, and alabaster arms in the 
ladies' gallery '? 

I beg pardon; one of that grand inquest did raise a regiment in the Old 
Bay State, endured the privations and hardships of a forced march " bi/ 
rail," from Boston to Washington, faced gallantly all the dangers and peril 



FROM VICKSBURG TO WASHINGTON. 31 

of a full dress parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, crossed the Long Bridge 
in triumph, without dro^Tiing a man, and hearing that Beauregard and his 
rebel army were approaching the capital, transferred his regiment by en- 
dorsement to a fighting General, and then Flora Temple never made better 
time on the Fashion Course than this impeacher made from the battle field 
of Bull Kun to the gilded halls of the United States Senate. On that fatal 
day a terrified Federal soldier, ' ' fleeing from the wrath to come, " said he 
thought he was doing some tail running "till a member of Congress passed 
him, and he thought he was standing still." That vahant hero sits to-day 
impeaching the only man who resigned his seat in the Senate to face the 
enemies of his countrj'-. 

" Judge yo between them." 

But we must not despair*. Their transient voice is not the voice of the 
people. No, 

"A breath, can unmake them as a breath has made.' 

They but imitate the rash youth " who fired the Ephesian Dome, that 
his name might outlive the memory of the pious fool v/ho reared it. " 

I well remember, in the compromise days of 1850, Daniel Webster, the 
great expounder of the Constitution, after voting for those measures that 
spread the bow of promise in the poHtical heavens, returned to Boston and 
asked the poor privilege of defending his course, antl the same Radical 
fanatics that drove you and your flag from the Capitol to-day barred the 
doors of Faneuil Hall, that cradle of liberty, against Daniel Webster. 
Like yourself, he was di'iven into the inclement ak, and gave them that 
rebuke which I may well repeat here: 

"O! ye soUd men of Boston, you have conquered an inhosiJitable cUmate; you have 
conquered a sterile and barren soil ; you have conquered the very waves that wash your 
shores; but you have yet to conquer jouv jiivjuclice." 

Alas ! his appeal fell upon leaden ears. With uncouquered prejudices 
they followed him through hfe; and long after his form had mingled with 
the dust at Mansfield, and his patriotic spirit gone back to the God who 
gave it, thej' insulted his momorj', and, hyena-like, desecrated his sepul- 
chre, by petitioning the Legislature to tear down the bronze monument 
erected by a grateful peoT)le in the capitol of the State he had honored far 
more than it could ever honor him. 

" ! Shame, where is thy bUish." 

Sir, after receiving such an ovation through the entire South, I can well 
imagine your feehngs of sadness, mortification, and disgust, when thus 
rudely repulsed by those false pretenders who claim such exalted patriot- 
ism, and are forever prating of their devotion to the National flag. 

The people must soon see their shameless hypocrisy and empty boast- 
ing; and, in the face of such an insult, you might, while driven from the 
Capitol, look back contemptuously on that " Radical Eump," and, with 
far more truth than poetry, exclaim : 

" Blush ! if of manly blood one drop remains 
To steal its lonely course along your veins ; 
Blush ! if the bronze, long hardened on the cheek, 
Has left one spot where that poor drop can speak. 
Blush ! to be branded with the perjurer's name, 
And if you dread not Sin, at least dread sliame." 

You, sir, have faced rebel bullets in time of war, and you can bear 
Radical iusults in time of peace. 

Despair not ; you will find yourseK in good company, and plenty of it, 
and will have received the same measure of reward meted out to every 
Union soldier, high or low, from George B. McClellan to the'liumblest 
private, who, having served his country on the field of battle, refuses to 



32 TRIUMPHAL MARCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

serve the "Eadicals" at the ballot-box. If you love the "old flag," you 
are a rebel in disguise; if you revere the Constitution, you are a traitor 
to Congress; and oh! if you have the audacity either to think for your- 
self, sustain the President, scorn "Negro Suffrage," or, worse than all, 
vote the Democratic ticket, you are then giiilty of "high crimes and mis- 
demeanors," and, "in the name of all snrh people," j-ou deserve imme- 
diate impeachment. When old Marius, banished from Rome, and driven 
in exQe in Carthage, was ordered by a royal minion to depart from the 
desolation where he had taken refuge, the brave old hero exclaimed : 

" Tell your Master you have seen Caius Marias sitting on the ruins of Carthage.'' 

Ketm-n, then, to your people, and tell them you have seen their Con- 
gress, sitting inside of the Capitol, legislating "outside of the Constitu- 
tion" upon the ruins of ike Union. 

A Union far more dissevered by them in three years of profound peace, 
than it was ever broken by Jeft. Da\us and his rebel hosts diu'ing four 
years of bloody war. 

But the day will soon come when your bright banner can and trill float 
from yonder Dome, every star having a State, and every State having a 
star. 

God grant that it may come quickly; for on that proud day Congres- 
sional usui'}:)ation will stand rebuked, an outraged Constitution will be 
vindicated, a fettered judiciarj^ made free, and last, but by no means least, 
the Nation's Execiitive will be rescued from an outrage, opju-ession, and 
wrong unparalleled in the annals of modern persecution, and the impeach- 
ers themselves stand forever impeached in the eyes of both God and man. 

Then, sir, will your late triumphant march Hve fresh and green in the 
memory of a grateful nation, while the veiy names of the men who diove 
you from the CaiDitol will be forgotten, or remembered only -w-ith the scorn 
and contemiDt which will ever follow the betrayers of a confiding people. 

I have finished; unfurl now yoiu- banner to the breeze, -n-ith no paid 
minions to molest. Let it float from this neglected, inifiuished shaft, a 
standing reproach to that reckless Congress that squanders milhons of the 
people's money on Freedmen's Bureaus and sable cemeteries, but cannot 
spare a dollar to the memory of George Washington, whose sacred ashes 
slumber to-day "in a conquered province" outside of the Union he 
created and loved so well, and in sight of the veiy Capitol that beai-s his 
honored name. They have disgraced themselves, humiliated you, and 
outraged the people, yet yoiu' banner is ^msiained. Bear it on proudly to 
your far Western home. * It -will be welcomed everywhere by the jieople 
who went forth to defend it, -with even greater gladness than by those 
who seek once more its protecting folds, and yearn for the happy days 
' ' that arc no more. " 

In the name of all the people, North, South, East and West, we bid 
you "God speed." Long may you live to enjoy the pleasant memories 
of the past, and share with us all the blessings of the future. 

For, as sm-e as yonder sun now shines upon us, our Union will be re- 
stored, Congress rebuked, and the nation saved. Then will our children, 
and our children's children, for generations to come, more than rcahze the 
wild enthusiastic dream of the patriot poet, when he exclaimed: 

" Oh ! may we flourish at a wond'rous rate, 
Tov.Tis add to towns, and Stute succeed to State, 
Vntll at last, among its crimson bars. 
Our country's banners, crowdid full of stars, 
O'er freedom's sous iu hapny tnunn)h wave, 
A hundred million, and not a single sl.\ve." 

At the conclusion of IMr. Perriu's remarks, tlie flag -was 



FROM VICKSBUEG TO WASHINGTON. 33 

waved from the Mouument amid tremendous applause and 
nine rousing cheers. 

I left the Monument and returned to the hotel. My jour- 
ney vras finished. My work was done. Whether it was well 
or ]ioorly done, let others decide. It has clearly fixed upon 
my mind these truths: 

First. The Southern people revere the flag, and are willing 
to fight for it against any foe. 

Second. They have a strong desire to hve in the Union and 
under the Constitution, but they hate mihtary domination, 
and detest negro suffrage. They cannot endure the idea of 
being governed by negroes. 

Third. Any Northern man will be well received at the 
South, provided he does not seek to degi-ade their society by 
placing the negroes in power to govern them. 

Fom-th. They dislike and oppose the Radicals, not because 
they fought each other in the war, for they fought the Dem- 
ocrats as Tv-ell, but because Eadical Reconstruction seeks, by 
bayonet, to force the intelligent white man down to the 
earth and elevate the ignorant and incompetent negro over 
him. 

I set out upon my march convinced that the Southern peo- 
ple had resumed their affection for the flag and the Union. 
I was equally convinced that thousands of the Northern peo- 
ple believed the contrary, and for that reason were sustaining 
a policy which ground the people of the South to the earth. 
Men said that my heart would be cut out, before I could go 
ten miles from Yicksburg, by that terrible rebellious people. 
I have walked over fourteen hundred miles in their country 
without an escort, without any weapon but a pen-knife, with- 
out any money, with only the Americau flag for a defence, 
and I received nothing but blessings and thanks and kindness 
at every step of the way. The people of the South are not 
rebellious. Heaven knows it. They feel as the people of the 
North feel. We should not like to be governed by the 
bayonet as Poland is. We should not like to have poHtical 
power given to a great mass of ignorant negroes in our own 
State against our will and by force, and have hundreds of 
thousands of our intelligent fellow citizens disfranchised and 
driven from the polls. The Southern people are no more 
rebelHous to-day than the people of Illinois, Ohio, and New 
York would be if Congress should govern those States by 
the bayonet and attempt to fasten upon them detested negro 
suflrage. I set out in an entei-prise to demonstrate that 
fact. 

If I have succeeded in placing before the minds of my 



34 TRIUMPHAL MARCH OF SERGEANT BATES 

countryman of the North, even in a modest degree, a truth- 
ful jiicture of the sentiments of the South ; if by any word 
or deed of mine men shall be disabused of theii" erroneous 
and cruel opinions, and shall thereby treat the South, as part 
of our common coimtiy, with generosity and magnanimity; 
if any act of mine has tended to restore peace and: harmony 
and confidence once more between the two sections, Heaven 
be praised, I shall not have hved in vain. 

GILBERT H. BATES, 

Sergeant 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. 



FROM VICKSHOEG TO WASHINGTON. 35 



FKOM VICKSBUKG TO THE SEA. 

The following stirring lines are from the -pen of Capt. Mayue Keid, and were dedicated 
to Sergeant Gilbekt H. Bates, the Wisconsin soldier, while bearing the Stars and Stripes 
through the heart of Keheldom : 

Beae on the banner, soldier boltl : 

How Southern hearts must thrill 
To see the flag, so loved of old, 

Waving above them still ! 
What cords 'twill touch, what echoes wake 

Of that far traer time ! 
Who knows but it the spell may break, 

That maddened them to crime. 

Bear on the banner ! hold it up ! 

But not by way of tcaunt; 
They've drank too deep the bitter cup 

To need such idle vaunt. 
No: be it like a brother's hand, 

To soothe a brother's pain, 
From hasty blow of quarrelsome brand, 

Ne'er to be giv'n again. 

Bear on the banner ! spread it out. 

O'er all Secessia's land ! 
Sure, they will hail it vdth. a shoiit. 

And take the proffered hand ? 
I cannot think their hearts are dead — 

Southrons ! 'twould grieve me sore— 
EecaU yom- ancient spirit fled, 

And patriots be once more ! 

Bear on the banner ! hold it high ; 

And once more let them see 
The white star on the azure sky — 

Those sjnnbols of the free ! 
Oh ! may they think of that strange star. 

Once seen in Eastern night; 
And, like the " wise men," from afar. 

Bow down before its light ! 

Bear on the banner, soldier, bold ! 

It is a thought of worth; 
And often will the tale be told 

Around the winter hearth. 
Ten thousand, thousand eyes are bent 

Upon thy daring deed; 
A nation, now no longer rent. 

Is wishing thee " God speed ! " 



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